Our Story

Our mission is to nurture curious, confident, and compassionate learners by providing an authentic Montessori education from toddlerhood through the elementary years.

When one door closes, another one opens! 

After the unexpected closure of a beloved Montessori school, with decades of deep roots to the Virginia Beach community, a dedicated group of parents and supporters came together with a shared purpose: to build something new that preserves the traditions of the past. 

Montessori education nurtures the whole child: academically, socially, and emotionally. It fosters empathy, creativity, and confidence—qualities our world needs now more than ever. Coastal Montessori School is committed to upholding the integrity of authentic Montessori education, ensuring the child-centered philosophy continues in Virginia Beach for generations to come! 

Rooted in traditional Montessori principles and built through collaboration, dedication, and heart – our school represents the collective hope of sustaining an established, educational community while cultivating a dynamic, new coalition where children grow into confident, capable individuals. Our goal at CMS is to increase accessibility of Montessori education to families throughout Coastal Virginia while safeguarding the 40-year tradition of authentic Montessori education that was once offered at Galilee Episcopal Church.

With more than 150 years of combined experience, our teachers guide children to become self-directed learners and creative problem-solvers. Students develop a lifelong love of learning through foundational Montessori practices anchored in discovery, independence, and respect.  Our classically trained staff prepare students to thrive in an ever-changing world, while remaining deeply connected to their natural sense of wonder.

The Nonprofit Advantage

Investing in Your Child’ Future

Coastal Montessori is proud to operate as a dedicated non-profit organization. This is more than just a legal designation—it’s a foundational commitment that directs every single dollar back into the excellence of your child’s education.

How Does Being Non-Profit Benefit Our Community?

Unlike for-profit institutions, not a single board member or administrator takes home a profit. Our mission is solely to sustain and enhance the school.

This model ensures that:

• 100% of Revenue Stays in the Classroom: Your tuition is directly reinvested into the school's operations. This covers essential costs like teacher salaries, facility leases, utilities, and acquiring authentic, high-quality Montessori materials. Every dollar serves to keep the lights on and the lessons thriving.

• Reasonable and Responsible Tuition: Our tuition rates are set not for maximization of profit, but for necessity. They are thoughtfully calculated to be as reasonable as possible while guaranteeing we can continue to offer the authentic Montessori method and maintain the highest standards of safety and education.

• Benefit for Teachers and Children:

  • For the Children: They benefit from stable funding, well-maintained classrooms, and continuous investment in the best learning tools.

  • For the Teachers: Our focus is on retention and support, ensuring we can attract and retain passionate, certified Montessori guides who are dedicated to their craft, not just shareholders' interests.

  • For the Board (and You!): The Board's work is driven by a deep, shared purpose—ensuring the longevity and quality of the school for the next generation. Your trust and commitment are directly visible in the sustained excellence of our educational environment.

When you enroll your child at Coastal Montessori, you are not paying dividends; you are directly investing in the continuity and quality of a superior educational experience.

Coastal Montessori Board

Board of Trustees

  • Millicent Alspaugh

  • Libby Bunker

  • David Calliott

  • Jason Cook

  • Madison Cook

  • Megan Foard

  • April MacDonald

Coastal Montessori is committed to upholding its mission in all facets of the organization.

Why Montessori?

The Montessori Method

Backed by research, the Montessori method has been proven to have significant social and cognitive benefits, including higher self-esteem, stronger social skills, greater independence, and a deeper sense of community.

The Montessori methodology is based on the belief that children learn best through movement and work with their hands. All Montessori classrooms are carefully-prepared and designed to promote meaningful repetition. Children are given access to all classroom materials and have the right to work with those materials until they have completed their own cycle of activity. With repetition and routine, Montessori students master new skills at their own pace.

Montessori at Coastal

The Coastal Montessori School (CMS) curriculum is designed to challenge each student to consider, explore, and think deeply about themselves and the world around them. CMS students are free to move about the classroom and choose from curated hands-on materials. Teachers introduce works sequentially according to the students’ developmental needs. Guided by our expert faculty, CMS students forge a personal learning path that is well-rounded, rigorous, and self-driven.

CMS helps students form positive lifelong connections to learning, so they can flourish as confident, independent, socially responsible adults.